Mahindra launches 'Prerna' project for women farmers

Mahindra & Mahindra today said it has launched a programme, Prerna, to empower women working in the agriculture sector by promoting efficient and ergonomic farm tools and equipment.

"The project will be initially launched in the state of Odisha, with the intention to positively impact the lives of over 1,500 families across 30-plus villages," Mahindra & Mahindra said in a statement.

The company, which is part of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group, yesterday celebrated the 'Mahila Kisan Diwas' with the launch of this programme.

The first project under Prerna is a collaboration between Mahindra & Mahindra, the Central Institution for Women in Agriculture (CIWA), a department of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the NGO Pradan (Professional Assistance for Development Action).

The company said that there are 100 million women and many of them work long hours in the fields, often with tools and equipment not suited for women.

The first project under Prerna aims to address these issues with the promotion of women friendly, efficient and ergonomic farm tools and equipment.